Abstract: A disc brake including a pair of friction plates arranged coaxially in a parallel, spaced-apart relationship and a plurality of vanes extending between the pair of friction plates, each of the vanes having a proximal end, a distal end and a mid-portion extending between the proximal end and the distal end, at least one of the distal end and the proximal end of at least half the vanes having a first cross-sectional area, the mid-portion having a second cross-sectional area, the first cross-sectional area being substantially greater than the second cross-sectional area. The vanes can include a T-shaped portion adjacent the distal end. The vanes can include an hourglass shaped portion. The vanes may taper from the distal end to the proximal end. The vanes can include a thicker cross-section adjacent a peripheral portion of the rotor.

Abstract: Described is an expanding mounting system for a light emitting cable lead having a cable lead and a lens housing encasing the lead. The housing and lead are routed through a hole in a panel from a bottom side. A mounting bezel is installed about the cable from above the panel. A slot within the bezel permits installation of the bezel on the cable from a radial direction. Closure of the slot thereby causes the installed bezel to encompass the cable. Rigidly attached to a bottom surface of the bezel are a plurality of ribs which are positioned to extend through the panel hole when the bezel bottom surface contacts the panel top side. Engagement of the housing within the bezel causes the ribs to expand thereby locking the bezel to the panel.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for improving the return-to-center motion of a steering wheel (16) wherein a determination of a first and a second value; secondly, derive a set of two values from the first value; thirdly, compute a third value from the set of two values and the first value according to a predetermined formula; and fourth, calculate a steering command using the third value and the second value for enhancing the return-to-center motion.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for minimizing or eliminating electrostatic discharge damage to circuitry components on printed wiring boards. The method comprises the steps of maximizing the electric field between an input connector pin and a discharger and minimizing the impedance value between the input connector pin and discharger so that electrostatic discharge will preferentially jump from the input connector pin to the discharger, where the electrostatic discharge energy may be dissipated without adversely affecting the circuit components.

Abstract: An ultra accurate gas injection system includes an input device for inputting setpoint data including a target flow rate for the flow of gas into the system. The gas flows through a mass flow controller at an actual flow rate. The mass flow controller issues a flow rate signal indicative of at least the actual flow rate and receives a flow control signal. The mass flow controller is configured to control the actual flow rate dependent at least in part upon the flow control signal. A programmable controller is electrically connected to the input device and the mass flow controller. The programmable controller receives the setpoint data from the input device and issues the flow control signal, the flow control signal being dependent at least in part upon the target flow rate contained within the setpoint data. The programmable controller repeatedly reads the flow rate signal and compares the actual flow rate with the target flow rate.

Abstract: A fuel pump comprises a pumping plunger reciprocable within a plunger bore under the action of a cam drive arrangement. The cam drive arrangement comprises first and second surfaces defining therebetween a chamber, the volume of which can be controlled to control the spacing of the first and second surfaces so as to permit control of the axial length of the cam drive arrangement. The first surface may be defined by a tappet member which acts to transmit a force from the cam drive arrangement to the pumping plunger, the second surface being defined by a piston member which is slidable within a tappet bore formed in the tappet member. The invention also relates to an arrangement for use in a fuel pump comprising a pumping plunger which is reciprocable within a plunger bore under the action of a drive arrangement and a tappet member which is slidable within a further bore provided in a housing for transmitting a force from the drive arrangement to the pumping plunger.

Abstract: An improved splined cam phaser includes four assemblies: a sprocket assembly, an inner hub assembly, a cover assembly, and a piston assembly. The joined assemblies provide phaser function at reduced manufacturing cost. The component parts of the assemblies are re-configured from analogous parts in the prior art cam phaser to permit much of the improved phaser to be manufactured inexpensively by powdered metal forming or by stamping or drawing from sheet metal, in contrast with the prior art phaser wherein all parts are formed expensively either by machining from forged blanks or by investment casting. These changes reduce not only the cost of manufacture but also reduce the weight and axial length of the phaser, an important customer acceptance criterion, and improve the speed of response.

Abstract: A combined drive circuit for a split brake system of a motor vehicle has a switched reluctance motor and a brush motor. The switched reluctance motor has multiple phase windings. The combined drive circuit includes a DC power source with first and second supply buses. A SR motor driver supplies current to the switched reluctance motor. The SR motor driver has a first capacitor coupled to the phase windings for storing energy from the phase windings and a second capacitor coupled to the first capacitor and a third supply bus, thereby developing a third supply bus voltage across the second capacitor. A brush motor driver is coupled to the first and second capacitor. The SR motor driver is adapted to supply current to the brush motor. The brush motor driver includes first, second, third and fourth switching elements coupled to the brush motor.

Abstract: The invention is a two-stage, two-poppet prime valve assembly for use in high pressure applications such as vehicle braking systems. The valve assembly has two valve seats and two plungers for allowing the valve assembly to open under high pressure while providing minimal internal flow restrictions to enhance cold temperature and low pressure operation. The two-stage, two poppet valve assembly contains two separate flow paths, one being high pressure, relatively low flow called a stage one, and the other being relatively low pressure, high flow called a stage two. In addition, the valve incorporates a reverse flow bypass feature that is capable of controlling flow at very high pressure and allowing reverse flow with a very low pressure drop.

Abstract: A combined drive circuit for a split brake system of a motor vehicle has a switched reluctance motor and a brush motor. The switched reluctance motor has multiple phase windings. The combined drive circuit includes a DC power source with first and second supply buses. A SR motor driver supplies current to the switched reluctance motor. The SR motor driver has a first capacitor coupled to the phase windings for storing energy from the phase windings and a second capacitor coupled to the first capacitor and a third supply bus, thereby developing a third supply bus voltage across the second capacitor. A brush motor driver is coupled to the first and second capacitor. The SR motor driver is adapted to supply current to the brush motor. The brush motor driver has a first switching element and a second switching element coupled to the brush motor.

Abstract: A method for forming solder bumps and solder connections for surface-mount devices. The invention utilizes a solder jetting technique by which a controlled amount of solder is accurately deposited to yield solder bumps on the bond pads of a device, which upon reflow form solder connections having sufficient stand-off height to promote stress relief during thermal cycling, and achieve the necessary electrical and thermal capabilities required of the solder connections. The method generally entails solder jetting multiple solder droplets onto a surface to form a two-dimensional base pattern. An additional solder droplet may be solder jetted onto the base droplets of the two-dimensional base pattern so that the additional droplet contacts at least two of the base droplets and yields a three-dimensional structure overlying the bond pad. The solder droplets are then reflowed to form a single coalesced solder bump on the bond pad.

Abstract: The electric park brake of the present invention includes an electric caliper motor assembly. The electric caliper motor assembly includes a motor, which is operably coupled to a shaft. The motor and shaft are surrounded by a housing. A friction wheel is disposed axially and operably connected to the shaft within the housing. A park brake motor is disposed within a second housing. The second housing is connected to the first housing and positioned laterally in relation to the shaft. An acme screw is operably coupled to the park brake motor wherein the acme screw interacts with an acme nut. A lever is in juxtaposition to the acme nut and friction wheel. The lever is angularly displaced by the acme screw interacting with the acme nut to frictionally interact with the friction wheel when the park brake motor is activated. This provides a park brake feature and prevents movement of the shaft.

Abstract: In an exemplary embodiment, the planar sensing element (80) is secured by inclusion of a disk element support provided between the lower end of an inner shield and the lower shoulder of an outer shell for containing such shield, whereby the diameter of the disk element support is less than that of the shell to allow such disk element support to shift off-center. In a preferred embodiment, the planar sensing element is secured by incorporation of a mesh element support, comprising fine wire material and vermiculite filler.

Abstract: An improved engine torque control method uses existing powertrain sensors and controls to reliably detect and suppress power-hop with minimum degradation of vehicle acceleration. Power-hop is detected by identifying a characteristic wheel jerk magnitude and oscillation frequency based on driven wheel speeds. Once a power-hop condition is detected, the control method computes a desired engine torque output for suppressing the detected power-hop without unnecessarily degrading vehicle performance, based on the wheel jerk magnitude, the engine speed and vehicle acceleration. A combination of engine cylinder fuel cut-off and spark retard is then scheduled for reducing the engine output torque to the desired level for the duration of the power-hop condition.

Abstract: An object sensing system is capable of distinguishing an overhead roadway object, that is not in a host vehicle path, from a substantially motionless roadway object that is in the vehicle path. Initially, a plurality of sensor scan signals are provided into an anticipated path of a host vehicle. Next, a plurality of object return signals that correspond to reflections of the plurality of sensor scan signals from at least one detected stationary object are received. Then, an average amplitude slope of the return signals as a function of the range to the at least one detected stationary object is determined. A sufficiently positive amplitude slope identifies the detected stationary object as an overhead roadway object that is not in the vehicle path. A sufficiently negative amplitude slope identifies the detected stationary object as a substantially motionless roadway object that is in the vehicle path.

Abstract: A metering valve for metering fuel flow, the valve having a flow rate control member moveable along an axis to control the rate of flow of metered fuel through the valve, and a piezo-electric bending device bendable in response to a control signal so as to cause the flow rate control member to move a desired distance in a selected direction along the axis.

Abstract: A variable valve train device for installation in an internal combustion engine to controllably vary the intake valve lift, open duration, and timing. A rotary camshaft has a cam lobe for rotation in timed relationship to the motion of the pistons of the engine. A close-fitting frame is rotationally disposed on the camshaft and is pivotably connected to a control shaft such that the angular orientation of the frame may be controlled with respect to the camshaft. A rocker arm disposed on the frame is provided with an input roller which follows the lobe of the camshaft to oscillate an output roller in response to rotary motion of the cam. The output roller drives an output cam which cooperates with a cam follower to open an engine intake valve conventionally against a valve spring. A curved return spring disposed between the output cam and the frame returns the output cam as the valve closes.

Abstract: An abrasion wear resistant fuel pump for a vehicle includes a pump section having a flow channel and a rotatable impeller cooperating with said flow channel to pump fuel therethrough. The fuel pump also includes a motor section disposed adjacent the pump section and having a motor to rotate the impeller. The fuel pump further includes an outlet section disposed adjacent the motor section to allow pumped fuel to exit the fuel pump. The pump section includes a plurality of plates disposed axially adjacent to and cooperating with the impeller. The impeller and plates are made of a composite material that improves abrasion wear characteristics therebetween.

Abstract: An electronic interconnect includes a flexible circuit which has a plurality of contacts formed thereon. A plurality of springs is positioned so as to apply a compressive force to at least one of the contacts when the electronic interconnect is mated. A resilient material is configured to apply a compressive force to at least one of the springs.